NJPAC in Newark

[glenn]

We have tiks to an early concert (7:30) next Monday and could use some dining suggestions. I have no idea where PAC is in relation to the Iron Bound district (or in relation to anywhere for that matter) and don't know if dining there would be feasible. We'll probably be pressed for time considering the show starts so early. Would we be best parking by PAC and taking a taxi to eat? Can you even hail a taxi in Newark? Anyways, we got the thumbs down from a certain person about Spanish Sangria and Maize. Is Theater Square Grill anything special? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Jason Perlow]

PAC is about 5 minutes from Ironbound. Maybe 10 if you hit serious traffic.

Casa Vasca or Seabra's Mediterranean Manor are your best bets.

Definitely NO to Spanish Sangria and Fornos.

[Rail Paul]

Glenn -

NJPAC is very accessible. From I-280 eastbound, the exit 15 (IIRC) is marked NJ 21 south, NJPAC is about 1 mile, extremely visible, on your right. There are parking lots (and lots of cops) on your left as you turn. From westbound 280 and the NJ Turnpike, take the NJ 21 south exit and follow as above.

We've been pleased with Seabra's Rodizio on NJ 21, about 1/2 mile south of 280 on 21. Not great, not knock your socks off fabulous, but OK. They have (had?) a $15 rodizio wih salad, and they throw in a free van ride to the side door of the PAC. The van is there to pick you up at end of show. Saves the $11 parking fee. Call to verify hours and van service.

Maize is about 100 yards from the NJPAC in the Robert Treat, we've not been displeased, based on one visit. Not wonderful, but OK.

Arthur's is around the corner, just past WBGO. from Maize. It's a long block, and dark. We parked by PAC, and walked down and back in daylight. I'm not sure I'd be as comfortable in the dark. Nice restaurant, not as good as the same owner's Landing in Weehawken, though.

Calcada operates during the summer in a tent adjacent to the Grill. Pleasant, very reasonable, and undoubtedly closed for the season.

The area immediately around NJPAC is safer than any spot on earth not occupied by George Bush. The sheer number of cops, horses, and lights is impressive.

The Ironbound begins about five blocks southeast of the PAC, with some of the better places 8 blocks (Iberia) to 15 (Spanish Tavern) away. I'd assume you would park there for dinner, drive your car up to the PAC. I'm sure others will offer specific suggestions

Paul

[Kim WB]

Yikes, I agree, stay away from Maize. Theatre Grill is boring,t oo. I might be one of the only folks who are consistantly happy with Don Pepe's , but I always order the same old same old: Garlic Shrimp as an app, paella or grilled veal chops for entree...never vary, never unhappy. I like Arthurs, if you're looking for steak, and better service than usual. What show are you going to see?

[glenn]

Does Seabra's Mediterranean = Seabra's Rodizio? In checking the listings, I also notice there's a Seabra's Marisqueria. Are these places owned by the same people? I should've mentioned we want fish. I'm trying to remember the place I ate at once in the Ironbound... it might have been Cafe Vasca... is it in a really deserted area?

We're going to see the other Elvis, Elvis C. Thanks for the tips, and as always, my aim is true.

[Jason Perlow]

Does Seabra's Mediterranean = Seabra's Rodizio?  In checking the listings, I also notice there's a Seabra's Marisqueria.  Are these places owned by the same people?  I should've mentioned we want fish.  I'm trying to remember the place I ate at once in the Ironbound... it might have been Cafe Vasca... is it in a really deserted area?

We're going to see the other Elvis, Elvis C.  Thanks for the tips, and as always, my aim is true.

Mediterranean Manor is on Jefferson, Seabra's Rodizio is a different joint. I beleive they are owned by the same people but I have been told MM is better, I've never been to Seabra's Rodizio. Casa Vasca is on Lafayette, in a very residential area and is considered by many to be the best traditional Spanish restaurant out of all of them. You might be thinking about Spanish Sangria which is in an industrial area, but a lot of these places are basically a half a mile from each other, Ironbound isnt very big.

[Rosie]

I think Spanish Pavillion in Harrison also has van service. You can park at the restaurant, have dinner and if yo want have dessert after the show. Have fun and let us know where you end up. Arthur's Landing is the same owner as the one in Weehawken. It's not the steak house.

[Rachel Perlow]

Haven't been, but I have heard good things about Seabra's Marisqueria, which is their restaurant which specializes in seafood, as the name implies.

[Suzanne F]

Just heard a promo on WBGO for Arthur's Downtown. Since I've never been there, or Arthur's Landing, I can't endorse one way or another. But it's close to NJPAC, and does a $40 pre-theater dinner.

I see Rail Paul mentioned it, too. Personally, I have no problem walking around that area at night.

[glenn]

Casa Vasca is on Lafayette, in a very residential area and is considered by many to be the best traditional Spanish restaurant out of all of them. You might be thinking about Spanish Sangria which is in an industrial area, but a lot of these places are basically a half a mile from each other, Ironbound isnt very big.

Rather than prolong the agony of making a decision, I think we'll opt for Cafe Vasca. And yes, I'm pretty sure it was Spanish Sangria we ate at last year. Bad memories... smoke filled room, so so service and mediocre food.

So would I be best off driving to the restaurant and then driving to PAC? Remember, dinner will be at around 6, so I guess there'll be plenty of traffic coming from Jersey City.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and a special thanks to Rosie for sending me a list of every dang restaurant within a 15 mile radius of Newark which would probably make an indecisive person jump off the Pulaski Skyway. :))

[And in case you're wondering why I so boldly speak for the rest of my group of 4, this will be my first dinner in 7 weeks as I take a momentary break from my diet, and they pity me enough to let me decide on the eats, and indeed they should!]

[Rosie]

I would make dinner at 5:30 at Casa Vasca to give yourself enough time to get to PAC. Be sure to make a reservation.

[glenn]

We ended up at Casa Vasca last night. The restaurant was mosly empty at about 6 PM. We heard our neighbors chatting about the upcoming show that evening at the PAC, so I assume the place caters to pre-show diners.

On the only positive notes, the service was excellent and attentive. The place was cozy, though empty, and had nice well kept bathrooms. Other than that, all 3 of us thought the food was barely a step above diner food. It had no hint of ethnicity and if it weren't for the Spanish staff and a menu in Spanish and English, we'd never have known it was a Spanish establishment judging from the food. We shared appetizers of grilled shrimp and grilled sausages. Both were bland and there was a comment that the sausages could use mustard. We all had fish, my wife a pasta and fish ball dish, our buddy swordfish and I had grilled snapper. Every dish was bland as hell, and the swordfish and snapper were greasy and tasted like last week's fish. There were no ethnic desserts offered except for flan, which they were out of.

I wonder why our experience was so different than others. Perhaps it was because it was a Monday and the chef was off? Perhaps they had a big inventory left over from the weekend that they needed to unload it? I dunno, but I guess the lesson is don't dine out on a Monday or stick with steak if you must.

[Jason Perlow]

Yipes. Well, I admit that we havent been to Casa Vasca in a while, its certainly possible they went downhill, but yeah, monday generally speaking is not a good day to go to any restaurant in Ironbound. Especially if you are going for seafood.

Since Seabra's Mediterranean Manor had its remodel recently I think their food has actually improved, we've been to it twice over the last 6 weeks or so (and not for the Rodizio, which has always been very good) and I've been very happy with their traditional Portuguese stuff.

As far as Spanish goes in the area... I'm real impressed with Tapas De Espana in North Bergen these days, so other than my occasional cravings for Rodizio at Mediterranean Manor I might not end up in Newark at all anymore!

[Rosie]

Never order fish on Monday.

[dodge621]

[Never order fish on Monday. ]

Rosie, I thought I read somewhere that you also said never order fish on Sunday. Is this correct?

[ngatti]

eff the fish. How was Elvis?

[tommy]

monday's fish is probably from thursday or friday at best. as is sunday's. commercial fishermen don't work the weekends, and the huge fish markets aren't open on the weekends.

[ngatti]

What it actually comes down to is the individual restaurant, its owner and its chef. What they are willing to let leave the kitchen on any given day and how careful they are, both with ordering, receiving and storing.

Blanket staements don't work. I know of *major* fish vendors that get fresh fish on Saturday and will deliver on Saturday or Sunday. Florida fish heads up to market on Sunday night, available for delivery on Monday morning.

What it really comes down to is what is the shape of the fish coming through the door on Friday. Is it diamond? Does it have the legs to be served on Monday. Realize that many places use FIFO (first in, first out) systems, so your chances of getting crummy fish tend to be sales specific rather than day of the week specific. Other places will only serve less than diamond fish for staff meal.

This past thursday I received a load of fish so fresh, that properly, iced and handled will eat fresher than so-called fresh fish delivered by many vendors today (tuesday). Good fresh fish has legs and while I mayn't call it sashimi grade, if beautiful when delivered and properly stored will last for a bit.

The best thing for people to do is to develop a sense of how to order. I can't exlain it but I just know when not to order fish in a restaurant. Day of the week comes into play. When lunching on Monday, If I don't think the fish truck has delivered yet, I won't order the seared rare ahi for lunch.

Price points of many restaurants also have to do with it. There are restaurants who have reputations so good, that I wouldn't hesitate to order fish on any day of the week and at any hour. Cheap restaurants, by neccesity have to cut a corner or two to survive. Some are better than others at this. In fact some will stoop to some pretty nasty tricks to hide bad fish no matter what the day of the week (I don't ever order anything arrabiatta, especially fish) and won't limit it to fish. Fish on Monday shouldn't be problematic. Not all restaurants (very few that I know of, but I know of some) will try to foist off weekend dreck. Their survival as restaurants depend on it. Selling shit to make food cost is too shortsighted. Certainly the gnarly practices exist and because of weekends, one is, if not careful, more likely to experience less than perfect seafood on Sunday or Monday than on another day. But if the fish is crap by Sunday than it wasn't all that good to begin with on Friday.

All I'm saying is never say never.

Nick

[tommy]

Blanket staements don't work.

they can when one is defending a blanket statement such as "don't order fish on monday."

clearly, as with anything, this practice should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

[201]

Blanket staements don't work.

they can when one is defending a blanket statement such as "don't order fish on monday."

clearly, as with anything, this practice should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Tommy - Do you REALLY think that applying a blanket practice of case-by-case consideration works for every situation? What about the cases where a blanket statement is needed rather than a case-by-case evaluation?

[glenn]

I've never had a problem ordering fish on a Monday, not that I go out to eat that often on Mondays. In my view, any restaurant that gives a flying ef and one that's in the $20+ range for entrees should not serve an inferior product. And it's my guess that most don't. Sure, everyone wants to cut corners, but it does more harm for a restaurant to serve crap and to lose customers. I'll never go back to Casa Vasca. Every restaurant I've worked at the chef has been conscious of food cost, but none would serve a fish not fit for human consumption.

[EC was tremendous. Everything I hoped for and lots more. He can still put on a tremendous show. But someone needs to take those PAC ushers into a room and set off a nuclear bomb. They tried to get this guy in the first row to sit down and stop dancing. I couldn't believe it. This was not a friggin' opera. He rightfully refused. Then they made me go outside with my water that I paid a fortune for. Jeez, they even let you take water in to Broadway shows. Only in new friggin' jersey]

[Rosie]

[Never order fish on Monday. ]

Rosie, I thought I read somewhere that you also said never order fish on Sunday. Is this correct?

Correct.

[ngatti]

I've never had a problem ordering fish on a Monday, not that I go out to eat that often on Mondays.  In my view, any restaurant that gives a flying ef and one that's in the $20+ range for entrees should not serve an inferior product.  And it's my guess that most don't.  Sure, everyone wants to cut corners, but it does more harm for a restaurant to serve crap and to lose customers.  I'll never go back to Casa Vasca.  Every restaurant I've worked at the chef has been conscious of food cost, but none would serve a fish not fit for human consumption.

My point exactly. What's more based on your experience (and you being in the business), I will probably give it two or three long hard thoughts before I visit Casa Vasca on any night.

Glad you enjoyed the show. The best live show, bar none was EC at the Beacon a coupla years ago. My favorite performer.

Nick